Lake Michigan/Wisconsin Trip Ideas Needed

[570traveler]

Last year I got so many great ideas from everyone here for our Lake Michigan trip, I am hoping some of you can join in this year and send some ideas for this years adventure!
We are tentatively planning a trip that will begin in central PA. We plan on driving to Notre Dame again for the first night (we had such a pleasant visit last summer). Then we would head towards Chicago (we do not plan on stopping there as we have been a few times in the past). We would like to follow the shoreline up north towards Green Bay and then continue towards the UP. We will make our way through there and then stop at Mackinac Island (loved it last year) and head south into Michigan.
Looking for cities/activities to stop at in Wisconsin and the UP. We will probably spend 11-16 days in late July on this trip.
It will be my DH, myself and possible my DD20 traveling. We are not into big hikes or water sports. We do like historic sites and unique road side stops. Last summer we had such a peaceful drive just stopping at the small towns and lighthouses on our way.
As always, we appreciate any ideas!

 

[justme0729]

I live in southeastern WI. A popular spot that people visit in southeastern Wisconsin is Lake Geneva. It has lots of cute shops, a beach, you can walk the lake path, and some historic sites (old homes that are considered landmarks, a mansion on the lake etc.).

 

[570traveler]

I live in southeastern WI. A popular spot that people visit in southeastern Wisconsin is Lake Geneva. It has lots of cute shops, a beach, you can walk the lake path, and some historic sites (old homes that are considered landmarks, a mansion on the lake etc.).

Thanks! I’ll definitely look into it. Sounds like the type of place we would enjoy

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

Oshkosh has EAA. Experimental Aircraft Association. I don't know if you stopped there last year.

 

[hereforthechurros]

The Abbey Resort in Lake Geneva, is a beautiful resort in fun lake town.

Milwaukee is also worth a visit. Lakeside brewery is one of our fave spots and during the summer there’s usually festivals every weekend. Pre-COVID of course.

 

[DreamIsaWish]

I really like the little amusement park in Green Bay. Yes, most of it is geared younger but the wooden coaster is fun and only $1 per ride. No admission charge and all tickets only 25 cents. Kind of cute for an hour (longer with kids of course) and cheap concessions too.

In Michigan we like Grand Rapids. The Meijer sculpture garden is lovely and has Chihiuly glass as well. Gerald Ford presidential library was interesting. I don’t recall exactly where, but somewhere near there we had a off-road ride on the dunes. Everyone loved that.

 

[bearzabout]

If you are into cars, make sure to stop at the Studebaker Museum in South Bend. An option instead of driving through Chicago is to drive up the west coast of Michigan to Ludington and take the Badger ferry to Milwaukee. It just changed ownership but will hopefully continue to run in the future.

Milwaukee is a great town and has a few great museum options.

I’d spend the most time in spectacular Door County. Send away for the visitor guide now. We are from Michigan but loved it there. The Scandinavian influence made the area very unique.

The porcupine mountains are worth exploring. Send away for the Keweenaw Peninsula guide. Consider a trip to Isle Royale from Copper Harbor. Make sure to stop in the mineral museum in Houghton. Take a tour in the Quincy copper mine.

Do a boat tour of picture rocks. If you love bears, visit the Oswalds Bear Ranch in Newberry. If you love lighthouses, see the shipwreck museum and hike to the top of the lighthouse at Whitefish point. Hit Taquamenon falls on the way to St Ignace and take the ferry to Mackinaw Island from there. Buy some smoked trout from Manleys before heading south over the bridge.

Ride the chairlift at Boyne Mountain. Stop by the Boyne city bakery (Gildas) for great french pastries. They have killer apple kouign Amman, crepes and croissants. Have dinner at Terry’s in Charlevoix. Pick fruit at King Orchards in Central Lake.

In Grand Rapids, see the Frederick Meier Gardens and Public Museum. If the art fair is going on in Ann Arbor when you pass by, make sure to see it.
The Toledo Zoo is small and worth a visit. On the way home, you can also pass through Columbus and see their world class zoo and the beautiful Franklin Park Conservatory. I think they mentioned they are leaving their 19 Chiluly glass pieces on permanent display.

Stop by Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Waters if you have not seen it already.

The trip involves a lot of driving. 2 weeks would be better. Many things were closed in 2020 and may not operate in 2021 either.

There is so much to see and do. Let us know where you decide to go and write another great trip report. Have fun!

 

[Monoxide]

Harry Houdini Museum in Appleton, WI, Visit a Cheese factory(My Favorite https://unionstarcheese.com/), and last but not least check out the numinous Supper Clubs WI offers.(Search for Black Otter Supper Club in Hortonville https://www.travelwisconsin.com/dining/supper-clubs)

 

[570traveler]

Oshkosh has EAA. Experimental Aircraft Association. I don't know if you stopped there last year.

Thanks! I’ll see if this is something we may enjoy.

We didn’t go anywhere in Wisconsin last summer. It was all Michigan with the exception of stopping at Notre Dame.

 

[570traveler]

I really like the little amusement park in Green Bay. Yes, most of it is geared younger but the wooden coaster is fun and only $1 per ride. No admission charge and all tickets only 25 cents. Kind of cute for an hour (longer with kids of course) and cheap concessions too.

In Michigan we like Grand Rapids. The Meijer sculpture garden is lovely and has Chihiuly glass as well. Gerald Ford presidential library was interesting. I don’t recall exactly where, but somewhere near there we had a off-road ride on the dunes. Everyone loved that.

The amusement park sounds like a great pit stop. We live near Knoebels Grove amusement park (tickets to ride, cheap food lol) and enjoy just walking around there.
DH would love the presidential library.
My daughter would love a dune ride so I may need to look into those. I know we saw them when we traveled through Michigan last year

 

[EACarlson]

Oshkosh has EAA. Experimental Aircraft Association. I don't know if you stopped there last year.

Airventure runs July 26-Aug. 1. It is an amazing thing to see. Busiest airport in the world for that week and no RADAR. https://www.eaa.org/airventure

I'm partial to Cave Point in Door County. I really like Wood Orchard Market for anything you can think of made with cherries, https://woodorchardmarket.com/ You have to look at Al Johnson's in Sister Bay, they have live grass on the roof and goats to keep it short. There is a submarine just off the lake in Manitowoc that is part of the museum.

I agree with a cheese factory but would recommend Widmers Cheese in Theresa. https://www.widmerscheese.com/
Union Star is a great company and factory, in fact my wife went to high school with the owner, but Fremont is quite a ways from the lake.

Johnsonville Sausage Co just opened a new factory store in Sheboygan Falls. https://www.johnsonville.com/news/johnsonville-marketplace-is-stocked-with-sausage-swag--more/

In Green Bay, Bay Beach, the amusement park mentioned upthread is a must. Also if you have any interest in football and football history, Lambeau Field. I'm a Vikings fan and still have enjoyed the stadium, I've climbed every step of it.

A note about the Luddington-Manitowoc Ferry. It is the only US Highway I am aware of that uses a ferry. It is US 10.

 

[570traveler]

If you are into cars, make sure to stop at the Studebaker Museum in South Bend. An option instead of driving through Chicago is to drive up the west coast of Michigan to Ludington and take the Badger ferry to Milwaukee. It just changed ownership but will hopefully continue to run in the future.

Milwaukee is a great town and has a few great museum options.

I’d spend the most time in spectacular Door County. Send away for the visitor guide now. We are from Michigan but loved it there. The Scandinavian influence made the area very unique.

The porcupine mountains are worth exploring. Send away for the Keweenaw Peninsula guide. Consider a trip to Isle Royale from Copper Harbor. Make sure to stop in the mineral museum in Houghton. Take a tour in the Quincy copper mine.

Do a boat tour of picture rocks. If you love bears, visit the Oswalds Bear Ranch in Newberry. If you love lighthouses, see the shipwreck museum and hike to the top of the lighthouse at Whitefish point. Hit Taquamenon falls on the way to St Ignace and take the ferry to Mackinaw Island from there. Buy some smoked trout from Manleys before heading south over the bridge.

Ride the chairlift at Boyne Mountain. Stop by the Boyne city bakery (Gildas) for great french pastries. They have killer apple kouign Amman, crepes and croissants. Have dinner at Terry’s in Charlevoix. Pick fruit at King Orchards in Central Lake.

In Grand Rapids, see the Frederick Meier Gardens and Public Museum. If the art fair is going on in Ann Arbor when you pass by, make sure to see it.
The Toledo Zoo is small and worth a visit. On the way home, you can also pass through Columbus and see their world class zoo and the beautiful Franklin Park Conservatory. I think they mentioned they are leaving their 19 Chiluly glass pieces on permanent display.

Stop by Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Waters if you have not seen it already.

The trip involves a lot of driving. 2 weeks would be better. Many things were closed in 2020 and may not operate in 2021 either.

There is so much to see and do. Let us know where you decide to go and write another great trip report. Have fun!

Thanks for all the ideas! I forgot someone (maybe you!) mentioned the Badger Ferry. I’ll definitely check into that.
I was wondering if the area to the east of Green Bay was worth driving to and I see that’s Door County so it’s definitely on my list to check out!
I see that Porcupine Mountains, Quincy mine and Picture Rocks (this is definitely on my list as I was trying to fit in into last years trip) all are on Lake Superior side so we may travel in that direction.
We did go to Whitefish point & Taquamemon Falls last year but I know my daughter would enjoy those stops.
After stopping at Mackinac Island, I think we will stay on the western edge of Michigan. Some of our best stops were the towns on that side of the state. I’ll check into the chairlift at Boyne Mountain.
I’m sure our stops will be driven by what’s open and what we are comfortable visiting (last year we tried to avoid the larger cities).
There is a chance we’d have 16 days for this trip. We have a trip to Hawaii to panned in June for 2 weeks. So if we are able to go there, then we will have less time for this trip.
As I get a tentative itinerary planned, I’ll be sure to post an update.

 

[570traveler]

Harry Houdini Museum in Appleton, WI, Visit a Cheese factory(My Favorite https://unionstarcheese.com/), and last but not least check out the numinous Supper Clubs WI offers.(Search for Black Otter Supper Club in Hortonville https://www.travelwisconsin.com/dining/supper-clubs)

A cheese factory didn’t even cross my mind lol Something to look into...I love cheese!
I’ve never heard of the Supper Clubs. This intrigues me so I think there will be one added to our travels!

 

[petrymom]

So, I don't know if you have thought about venturing into Door County, but it is ABSOLUTELY gorgeous. (it is the "thumb" of Wisconsin.) There is a small town about 35 miles east of Green Bay on the Lakeshore (hwy 42 takes you there) called Algoma. Small, but the furthest point out into the lake on the Wisconsin side. (it is the air conditioned city). Small, quaint.... I graduated from this town. It is about 15 miles south of Sturgeon Bay, which is the biggest city in Door County. Door County has lots of state parks.
Also, the amusement park in Green Bay is called Bay Beach. Tour Lambeau field. Visit Doc's Harley Davidson in Bonduel on Hwy 29 (not just a Harley Dealer, has a restaurant, museum, zoo etc. )
Glidden Lodge is a fantastic restaurant/supper club in Door County.
I currently live 35 miles West of Green Bay so if you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

 

[J'aime Paris]

If you go to a supper club.....and if you enjoy adult beverages....

Order an Old Fashioned cocktail. The way we make them in Wisconsin is unique compared to anywhere else I've travelled.

A Brandy Old Fashioned is the most "Wisconsin" version.
You order either a Brandy Old Fashioned sweet or sour.

If you don't like brandy, you can order a
Whisky Old Fashioned sweet or sour.

Cheers!

 

[Psychodisney]

Milwaukee is definitely worth a night. Lakefront brewery or Sprecher brewery are nice tours. Kopps frozen custard is a must! Great custard and burgers.

 

[scard192]

I live in southeastern WI. A popular spot that people visit in southeastern Wisconsin is Lake Geneva. It has lots of cute shops, a beach, you can walk the lake path, and some historic sites (old homes that are considered landmarks, a mansion on the lake etc.).

Loved Lake Geneva when I visited there. pre Covid. Was visiting a friend who lived in Chicago so was an easy drive. We did a boat tour of the lake.

 

[Psychodisney]

Loved Lake Geneva when I visited there. pre Covid. Was visiting a friend who lived in Chicago so was an easy drive. We did a boat tour of the lake.

The boat tours are great. Especially the Mail boat tour.

 

[McKelly]

Do you enjoy golfing? Stop in Kohler, WI, for some great courses. PGA, U.S. Open have played there and the Ryder Cup will be there this September. There is a Kohler Design Center there, a spa and decent dining options. Lodging includes the American Club (Five Star), the Carriage House and a more reasonable option - Inn on Woodlake.

Kohler is just a couple miles off of Hwy. 43, so if you are following the West Shoreline of Lake Michigan, it's right on your way.

 

[DreamIsaWish]

The amusement park sounds like a great pit stop. We live near Knoebels Grove amusement park (tickets to ride, cheap food lol) and enjoy just walking around there.
DH would love the presidential library.
My daughter would love a dune ride so I may need to look into those. I know we saw them when we traveled through Michigan last year

Bay Beach Park isn't as large as Knoebels, but since you like Knoebels it should be up your alley! Some of the same charm, and excellent prices! We had a great time at Knoebels this past summer with so many unique rides and especially the Fascination Parlor.

This summer we also went to Sleeping Bear Dunes. Many folks had recommended Pictured Rocks, but the UP was getting bad Covid the week we went so we passed on it. But if the numbers are good I've heard good things about the location in general.